SUSSEX will put out the welcome mat for Kosovo refugees, local MPs said today.

The news follows Home Secretary Jack Straw's announcement that Britain is to take up to 1,000 refugees a week and that all parts of the country can expect to receive some.

Brighton Pavilion MP David Lepper said Brighton and Hove has a reputation for tolerance and has already gained valuable experience by taking in Sudanese refugees in the Eighties and Somalians in the Nineties.

He said: "Clearly we would not want all of the Kosovans to come here but there is a tremendous feeling locally that we should be helping people who are facing life or death situations and have had members of their families massacred and their homes destroyed.

"People in Sussex have shown their willingness in the past to do all they can to help and they will again."

Mr Lepper said the local Refugee Forum has already told the Home Office it is willing to help and that support services are in place, but it has stressed Brighton and Hove cannot take large numbers.

He said: "And it is the Government's intention to repatriate the Kosovans as soon as possible."

Eastbourne MP Nigel Waterson, who has been raising the refugee issue in the Commons, said: "We have a proud tradition of giving shelter to genuine refugees and Sussex and Eastbourne will bear its fair share.

"I am sure constituents will be more than happy to welcome its fair share and give them help and shelter but I have expressed concern that the great brunt of refugees doesn't fall in one place, in particular seaside resorts.

"I hope it is organised properly."

Worthing West MP Peter Bottomley said: "There will be a welcome from most people in Worthing and West Sussex.

"People have been wondering why the Government has been so reluctant to take part fully in the help we know we can give the refugees.

"I think the Government feared the people would not support them - but I will and so will the majority of the people."

Mr Straw's announcement is the first time the Government has said how many refugees would be taken. Britain has so far accepted 330.

Humanitarian groups including Amnesty International have accused Britain of not pulling its weight in offering refuge to Kosovo Albanians.

A Home Office spokesman said all areas of the country were being considered for housing the refugees.

It is expecting to be receiving a plane load of refugees a day within the next two weeks.

Two flights are expected to land on Sunday and several more next week, each holding around 160 people.

There are no details of where the refugees would be likely to say, but possible locations include Ford Prison, the Army camp at Crowborough or holiday parks.

Mr Straw stressed that the Government would reimburse local authorities for the costs of caring for them.

He said Home Office staff were being sent to the Balkans to help the UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees - process the displaced people after the agency ran into difficulties.

He declined to give advance information about where the refugees would go, saying: "All areas of the country may expect to receive flights and care for refugees."

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